Flying machine



FLYING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet, 1

gwuentoz July 3,1928. 1,675,988

J. P. ocoNNpR FLYING MACHINE Filed May 22, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 R1 0 a a w a g o a QC k 1 gwtnntoz Ja/m 2 0Z0000/1 Gm: wdw

M W y mm the main central hull Patented July 3, 1928.

UNITED STATES JOHN .P. OCONNOB, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FLYING MACHINE.

Application filed May 22,

The present application is acontinuation in part of my application Serial No. 260,072, filed March 8, 1928.

The invention has reference to improve ments in flying machines of great size, adapted particularly for trans-oceanic flights. It is only logical that machines intended for such use shall be primarily capable of landing on and taking ofl from the sea surface, and accordingly my present invention relates more specifically to hydro-aeroplanes and to means for rendering them scaworthy and at the same time efficient in flight.

As an aid to seaworthiness, it is requisite first of all that the machine have maximum lateral stability as a floating body, so far as this maximum is consistent with the principles of aerodynamics. lVith these considerations in mind the machine, according to my invention has a main plane which is provided with a central buoyant element and buoyant elements laterally spaced from said central element at both sides of the latter, these elements all being supported by the plane in rigid connection therewith and normally adapted to accord simultaneously effective flotative support when the machine is resting on the water. Further, in order to secure maximum longitudinal stability, the centers of buoyancy of these elements lie substantially in a common vertical. plane which plane passes through the center of gravity of the machine. Since the machine is intended to have a large useful capacity, these buoyant members are in the form of hulls of considerable size.

In an ordinary flying boat having a Single central hull wing spread springs from the sides of this hull, and due to the fact that the hull is an element of great inherent strength, it forms an ideal wing supporting means. In order to retain the inherent strength of the single hull so far as possible, I connect my plurality of hulls, comprising and the lateral hulls, by means of a continuous medial plane section of great inherent strength, which extends across all of the hulls and is rigidly secured thereto. The hull structures merge with this-medial section to form therewith a substantially integral -basic structural unit as a foundation for the machine, and from the outer ends of the medial portion spring the main wing sections.

The outer lateral hulls are nearer to the 1928. Serial No' 279,627.

central hull than to the wing tips, and accordingly the hulls have a high seaboard in order to give large clearance between the wings and the sea surface. Further, the lateral hulls are of such size as to be able to support the machine jointly independently of the main or central hull. Conversely, the central hull is of sufficient size to support the machine alone. Thus, if the lateral hulls are riding on the crests of waves with the central hull in the trough, the machine will be amply supported, and there will be no pitching inasmuch as the center of gravity of the machine is in the normal vertical plane passing through the centers of buoyancy of the lateral hulls. Likewise, if the lateral hulls are out of water and the main hull alone is supporting the machine, longitudinal stability will be maintained since the center of buoyancy of the main hull and the center of gravity of the {nachine lie in the same normally vertical The upper walls of the hull structures interrupt the covering of the described medial portion of the main plane, and passages are provided through the latter so that the crew may conveniently move from one hull to another while the ship is in flight. In a typical machine according to the present design, the wing thickness will be between three and four feet, and in order to facilitate passage through the corridor provided through the medial portion, I provide a carriage which is propellable through the corridor from one hull to another.

Specifically, my invention contemplates the provision of three hulls'as above described, these hulls and the medial portion of the main plane forming what I have termed a basic structural unit. By this expression, I mean that the hulls and the medial portion form a unit of supreme rigidity as the basis for the entire flying machine structure, for the whole machine is built around this fundamental unit. The portions of the basic medial wing intermediate the hulls form ideal anchoring bases for the propulsion means, and the propulsion means according to the preferred'embodiment of my invention comprises both tractor and pusher units, a plurality of each being disposed intermediate the adjacent hulls.

The basic structural unit referred to takes the place of what has heretofore been known Bil in flying boats as a basic hull. In the flying boat wing spread springs from the basic hull. In my design. however, wing spread springs from the sides of the basic structural unit, and this permits of a considerably greater wing spread and a more eflicient aspect ratio than can be hoped for with a single hull as a basic unit.

It will be understood from the above general description that the three hulls form in effect a single unit having three flotative contact points. These contact points are normally adapted to afford simultaneously effective support on the water. but as described above on a rough sea the machine is supportable by the central hull alone, or by the lateral hulls combined. In view of the great strength of the interconnecting structure, there will be no danger of distortive effects on the machine under any of these conditions. Further, the three hulls afford maximum lateral stability and effective planing surface without disproportionate parasite resistance.

An embodiment of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings. wherein Figure 1 shows in top plan view a flying machine according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the machine in side elevation.

Figure 3 shows the machine in vation.

Fi ire 4 is a section of the main plane on the hue 4-4 of Figure 3, and

Figure'5 is a. vertical section through the medial portion of the main plane and the hulls on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that the machine, as shown, is provided with three hulls, hull 10 being disposed at the center of the lower main plane. and hulls 11 and 12 being disposed at the sides of hull 10 and considerably spaced therefrom. The portion of the main plane extending across all the hulls and terminating at the outer sides of the lateral hulls forms the basic medial portions of the main plane A, and a front eletypical section of this portion is shown in Figure 5. The medial portion and the bulls form the basic structural unit, which has been mentioned above, this unit being designated by the bracket X in Figures 3 and 5.

In Figure 5, a continuous built up spar composed of members 40, 41 and 42 and interconnecting lattice work 43 is shown as extending from the outer wall of hull 11 through central hull 10 to' the outer wall of lateral hull 12. This spar is characteristic of the heavy structural members embodied in the medial portion of the plane and the hull frames are secured to these structural members with the utmost rigidity as by angle brackets 44 and 45 and if desired by frame uprights 46. riveted to the structural members of the spars. The particular means of securing the hulls to the medial section is immaterial so long as the re uisite integrality of structure is secured.

s has been stated above, the superior characteristics of stability of the present machine as a floating body are ascribable in large measure to the size proportions of the hulls and to the arrangement of their centers of buoyancy directly beneath the main plane. The mam plane has a normal angle of retreat, that is, the usual small angle of from two to three degrees. Thus, the centers of buoyancy of the hulls are disposed to lie not only directly below the main plane, but also, specifically, in the same normal vertical plane which includes the center of gravity of the machine. Thus, in Figure 1, the star Z denotes the position of the normally vertical line passing through the center of buoyancy of the hull 11, the star m denotes the position of the normally vertical line passing through the center of buoyancy of the hull 10 and the center of gravity of the machine, and the star n denotes the osition of the normally vertical line passing through the center of buoyancy of the hull 12. All of these lines, of course, lie in the same normally vertical plane.

The main wings 15 and 16 are of lighter structure than the basic plane section and spring laterally of the outer hulls, and while their spars may consist of lighter continuations of the medial section spars, they-will normally be separate elements as indicated and secured in any suitable manner to the ends of the medial section and also to the outer sides of the lateral hulls'as by angle brackets 47.

Sections 13 and 14' of the medial plane portion intermediate the hulls are construct- .ed as aerofoils, and add thus to the lifting capacity of the machine. At the same time, the lower wing spread proper may be said to spring from the outer sides of hulls 11 and 12, and comprises the wings 15 and 16. Preferably, the machine is constructed as a multiplane, and in this instance, a second plane B is provided above plane A, the two planes being interconnected in the usual manner by struts as at 17 and by bracing Wires 18. The propulsion means comprises tractors 19 and pushers 20, anchored to sections 13 and 14, and as here shown four each of the tractor and pusher units are provided.

The central hull is of considerably greater fore and aft extent than the lateral hulls, and at its rear end supports the empennage assembly C comprising rudders 29 and elevators 30 of usual design. The control systems for these elements and for ailerons 28 may be of any appropriate design, and accordingly-have not been illustrated here.

According to Figure 4, 21 represents a built up rib, and 22 a duralumin wing covhull ering. The wing spars are so spaced and braced in developing the ribs as to provide an open passage 23 extending longitudinally of the medial portion of the plane, and this passageway is lined with thin duralumin sheeting 24, to form traver-sable corridors between the hulls. In order to permit the convenient passage of the crew and passages through the corridors, the latter are pro vided with slides or carriages 25 supported on rollers 26. One sitting on the carriage may propel himself from one hull to the other by grasping hand rails 27.

The three hull structural unit as described obviously givesa foundation for a large wing-spread. In a two hull system with the same wing-spread, the wing intermediate the hulls would necessarily have to be considerably stronger and the two nacelles, to obtain the carrying capacity of the machine according to the present invention, would necessarily have to be much larger and heavier. This would cause the basic structure under a two hull system to go beyond weight limitations and would also necessitate shortening the distance X, Figure 3.- In other words, in a two hull system, the basic wing would have to be of enormous proportions if any attempt were made to secure a wingspread equal to that which is easily permissible with the described three hull system. Further, in a two hull system, it would be necessary to place at least a pilots cabin above the water midway between the two hulls, thus increasing the parasite resistance entirely out of proportion to the utility of the structure. In the three hull system, the central hull is particularly-adapted for the accommodation of passengers, since here flying motion is zero, whereas in a two hull system the passengers are necessarily separated and subjected to the annoyance and discomforts of the planes balancing motion in the air and on the water. The lateral hulls, however, form satisfactory accommodation for the crew; Also, in a two hull system, the load must necessarily be carried laterally of the center of gravity so that the planes attitude at take-off and on landing is much less secure than that of a plane constructed on the three hull system.

While I have specifically described a hydro-aeroplane, I wish it to be understood that nacelles 11 and 12. and fuselage 10 need not necessarily be hulls, strictly speaking. but may be in the nature of wheel-supported cabins. Consequently, the following claims are to be interpreted with this point in mind.

I claim 1. In a flying machine, a main plane comprising an integral medial section, a main disposed centrally of said medial section, a lateral hull at each end of said medial section, said medial section extending uninterruptedly across all of said hulls and the ends thereof terminating at the outer sides of said lateral hulls, all of said hulls being structurally merged with said medial section to form therewith a substantially integral sustaining unit and all of said hulls being normally adapted to afford simultaneously effective support when the machine is at rest, and a main wing section springing from each end of said medial section, said lateral hulls being nearer the main hull than to the outer ends of said wing sections.

2. In a flying inachine,-a main plane comprising an integral medial section, a main hull disposed centrally of said medial section, a lateral hull at each end of said medial section, the ends of said medial section terminating at the outer sides of said lateral hulls, all of said hulls being structurally merged with said medial section to form therewith a substantially integral sustaining unit and all of said hulls being normally adapted to afford simultaneously effective support when the machine is at rest, the centers of buoyancy of said hulls lying sub stantially in the same vertical plane, and a main wing section springing from each end of said medial section.

3. In a flying machine, a main plane comprising an integral medial section, a main hull disposed centrally of said medial section, a lateral hull at each end of said medial section, the ends of said medial section terminating at the outer sides of said lateral hulls, all of said hulls being structurally merged with said medial section to form therewith a substantially integral sustaining unit and all of said hulls being normally adapted to afford simultaneously effective (lsupport when the machine is at rest, the centers of buoyancy of said hulls lying substantially in the vertical plane including the lateral axis of the machine, and a main wing section springing from each end of said medial section.

4. In a flying machine. a main plane comprising an integral medial section, a. mamhull disposed centrally of said medial section, a lateral hull at each end of said medial section, the ends of said medial section terminating at the outer sides of said lateral hulls, all of said hulls being structurally merged with said medial section to form therewith a substantially integral sustaining unit, and all of said hulls being normally adapted to afford simultaneously effective support when the machine is at rest, the main hull having a greater fore and aft eX- tcnt than the lateral hulls, the center of buoyancy of-said hull lying substantially in a vertical line including the center of gravity of the machine, an empennage assembly supported by said main hull at its rear end, and a main wing section springing from each end of said media-l section.

'5. In a flying machine, a main plane comtion, a lateral prising an integral medial section, a main ull disposed centrally of said medial sec hull at each end of said medial section, the ends of said medial section terminating at the outer sides of said lateral hulls, all of said hulls being structurally merged with said medial section to form therewith a substantially integral sustaining unit and all of said hulls being normally adapted to afford simultaneously effective support when the machine is at rest, the main hull having a greater fore and aft extent than the lateral hulls, the center of buo ancy of said main hull lying substantial y in a vertical line including the center of gravity of the machine, the centers of buoyancy of the lateral hulls lying substantially in a plane including said vertical line, an empennage assembly supported by said main hull at its rear end, and a main wing section springing from each end of said medial section.

6. In a flying machine, a main plane having a normal angleof retreat. a main hull disposed centrally of said main plane. a lateral hull spaced at each side of said main hull inwardly of the ends of the main plane. all of said hulls beingrigidly secured to said main plane and normally adapted to afford simultaneously eflective flotative support when the machine is at rest on the water. the lateral hulls combined being of sufficient size to'su port the machine independently of the mam hull, and the main hull being of sufficient size to support the machine alone, the centers ofbuoyanc of all of said hulls lying directly below t e main plane.

7: Ina flying machine, a main plane having a normal angle of retreat, a main hull disposed centrally of said main plane, a lateral hullspaced at each side of said main hull inwardly of the ends of the main plane, all of said hulls being rigidly secured to said main plane and normally adapted to afford simultaneously effective flotative support when the machine is at rest on the water, the lateral hulls combined being of sufficient size to support the machine independently of the main hull, and the main hull being of sufficient size to support the machine alone, the centers of buoyancy of all of said hulls lying directly below the main plane, the lateral hulls being nearer the main hull than to the ends of the main plane.

8. In a flying machine, a main plane, a main hull disposed centrally of said main plane, a lateral hull spaced at each side of said main hull, the main Kplane having a large effective wing sprea outwardly of r said lateral hulls, said hulls being rigidly secured to said main plane, the central hull alone or the combined lateral hulls indeendent of the central hull having sufficient uoyant capacity to support the machine on the water, the centers of buoyancy of said hulls lying directly below said main plane substantially in'the samevertical plane, and all of the hulls being normally adapted to afford simultaneously efl'ective flotative sup-' port when the machine is at rest.

9. In a flying machine, a main plane, a main hull disposedcentrally of said main plane, a lateral hull spaced at each side of said main hull, the main plane having a large effective wing spread outwardly of said lateral hulls, said hulls being rigidly secured to said main plane, the central hull alone or the combined lateral hulls independent of the central hull having suflicient buoyant capacity to support the machine on the water, the centers of buoyancy of said hulls lying directly below said main plane substantially in the same vertical plane with the center of gravity of the machine, and all of the hulls being normally adapted to afford simultaneously effective flotative support when the machine is at rest.

10. In a flying machine, a main plane having a normal angle of retreat and comprising an integral medial section, a main hull disposed centrally of said medial section, a lateral hull at each end of said medial section. the ends of said medial section terminating at the outer sides of said lateral hulls, all of said hulls being. structurally merged with said medial section to form therewith a substantially integral sustaining unit, and all of said hulls being normally adapted to afford simultaneously effective flotative support when the machine is at rest on the water, the lateral hulls being of sufiicient size to support the machine independently of the main hull and the main hull being of sufficient size to support the machine alone, the centers of buoyancy of all of said hulls lying directly below the main plane, and a main wing section springing from each end of said medial section.

11. In a flying machine, a main plane having a normal angle of retreat and comprising an integral medial section, a main hull disposed centrally of said medial section, a lateral hull at each end of said medial section, the ends of said medial section terminating at the outer sides of said lateral hulls, all of said hulls being structurally merged with said medial section to form therewith a substantially integral sustaining unit, and all of said hulls being normally adapted to afford simultaneously effective flotative support when the machine is at rest on the water, the lateral hulls being of sufficient size to support the machine independently of the main hull and the main hullbeing of suflicient size to support the machine alone, the c'enters of buoyancy of all of said hulls lying directly below the main plane, and a main wing section springing from each end of said medial section, the lateral hulls being nearer the main hull than to the outer. ends of said wing sections.

12. In a flying machine, a main plane comprising an integral medial section, a main hull disposed centrally of said medial section, a lateral hull at each end of said medial section, the ends-of said medial section terminating at the outer sides of said lateral hulls, all of said hulls being structurally merged with said medial section to form therewith a substantially integral sustaining unit and all of said hulls being normally adapted to atl'ord simultaneously efl'ective flotative support when the machine is at rest on the water, the con'ibinedflateral hulls being of suflicient size to support the machine independently of the main hull, and the main hull being of sutticient size to support the machine alone, the centers of buoyancy of said hulls lying directly below said main plane substantially in the same vertical plane, and a main wing section springing from each end of said medial section.

13. In a flying machine, a main plane comprising an integral medial section, a main hull disposed centrally of said medial section, a lateral hull ateach end of said medial section, the ends of said medial section terminating at the outer sides of said lateral hulls,

all of said hulls being structurally merged with said medial section to form therewith a substantially integral sustaining unit and all of said hulls being normally adapted to aflord simultaneously effective flotative support when the machine is at rest on the water, the combined lateral hulls being of suflicient size to support the machine independently of the main hull and the main hull being of suflicient size to support the machine alone, the centers of buoyancy of said hulls lying directly below said main plane substantiallyin the same vertical plane with the center of gravity of the machine, and a main wing section springing from each end of said medial section.

14. In a flying machine, a main plane having a normal angle-of retreat, said main plane comprising an integral medial section, a main hull disposed centrally of said medial section, a lateral hull at each end of said medial section, the ends of said medial section terminating at the outer sides of said lateral hulls, all of said hulls being structurally merged with said medial section to form therewith a substantially integral sustaining unit and all of said hulls being normally adapted to afl'ord simultaneously effective flotative support when the machine is atrest on the water, the main hull having a greater fore and aft extent than the lateral hulls and being of sufficient size to support the machine independently of the lateral hulls, the combined lateral hulls hav ing suflicient buoyant capacity to support the machine independently of the main hull, the centers of buoyancy of said hull lying substantially in the same vertical plane and directly below the main plane, an empennage asembly supported by the main hull at its rear end, and a main wing section springing from each end of said medial section.

15. In a flying machine, a main plane having a normal angle of retreat, said main plane comprising an integral medial section, a main hull disposed centrally of said medial section, a lateral hull at each end of said medial section, the ends of said medial section terminating at the outer sides of said lateral hulls, all of said hulls being structurally merged with said medial section to form therewith a substantially integral sustaining unit and all of said hulls being normally adapted to afford simultaneously effective flotative support when the machine is at rest on the water, the main hull having a greater fore and aft'extent than the lateral hulls and being of sufticient size to support the machine independently of the lateral hulls, the combined lateral hulls having suilicient buoyant capacity to support the machine independently of the main hull, the centers of buoyancy of said hulls lying sub stantially in the same vertical plane with the center of gravity of the machine,,and directly below the main plane, assembly supported by the main hull at its rear end, and a main wing section springing from each end of said medial section.

16. In a flying machine, a main plane, a main hull disposed centrally of said main plane, a lateral hull spaced at each side of said main hull, the main plane having a large effective wing spread outwardly of said lateral hulls, all of said hulls being of passengencarrying capacity and being rigidly secured to said main plane with their side walls interrupting the covering of the main plane, said main plane having an interior passageway connecting the hulls, the centers of buoyancy-of said hulls lying directly below said main plane substantially in the same vertical plane with the center of gravity of the machine, and all of the hulls being normally adapted to afford simultaneously effective flotative support when the machine is at rest on the water.

17. In a flying machine, a main plane, a main hull disposed centrally of said main plane, a lateral hull spaced at each side of said main hull, a main plane having a large effective wing spread outwardly of said lateral hulls, all of said hulls being of passen ger-carrying capacity and being rigidly secured to said main plane with their side walls interrupting the covering of the main plane, said main plane having an interior passage-way connecting the hulls, a passenger-carrying device propellable along said passageway, the centers of buoyancy of said an empennage hulls lyin directly below said main plane substantia ly in the same vertical plane with the center of gravity of the machine, and all of the hulls being normally adapted to afford simultaneously effective flotative sup port when the machine is at rest on the Water.

18. In a flying machine, a main plane comprising an integral medial section, a main hull disposed centrally of said medial section, a lateral hull at each end of said medial section, the ends of said medial section terminating at the outer sides of said lateral hulls, all of said hulls being structurally merged with said medial section to my hand.

JOHN P. OCONNOR. 

